Arsenal are leading the race for Crystal Palace defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, but they’d have to pay at least £40m to land the 21-year-old, according to reports.
3Emerson
Arsenal were one of four European contenders chasing Atletico Mineiro defender Emerson in January, according to reports in Brazil. Brazilian outlet UOL (via Sport Witness) reported that Atletico Mineiro were ‘prepared to sell’ Emerson in the January transfer window, to hit their financial targets for the campaign.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Betis were the four interested sides. The two Premier League teams had been scouting the 19-year-old for months, but the right-back ended up moving on loan to Betis until the end of the campaign. Nonetheless, a permanent transfer could be back on this summer.
That wasn’t the first time we heard about Arsenal’s interest in the player. A Bola Brasil wrote in November that Arsenal were one of three European clubs to take notice of the defender’s progress.
The Gunners had ‘shown interest’ in signing the youngster, whose club progress even saw him called up for the Brazilian u20 team on multiple occasions last year.
WhoScored list the player’s aerial duels and concentration as his strengths, whilst he is weaker at holding on to the ball, which is fairly common for young players. He likes to play short passes and isn’t afraid to get stuck in or commit a foul if he thinks it’s necessary.